UK Borders Bill

I am very grateful to the noble Lords, Lord Avebury and Lord Hylton, for their interventions on this matter. It is worrying when we put ourselves in jeopardy of undermining both the spirit and the letter of the European convention of which we in this country were pioneers. Our total credibility as a nation is connected with our giving a lead on these matters and how we perform subsequently—the legal and humanitarian arguments and everything else that we put into our case. I also totally agree with the noble Baroness, Lady Anelay, that, even if this did not exist, it is simply wrong; it is nonsense. Quite apart from anything else, it is a considerable expense to the taxpayer, which is not logical. There really is a need to expedite matters on this front. I listened to what my noble friend said. He is a good personal friend, so I cannot help observing to him that it is difficult not to feel a great deal of sympathy with him because he keeps telling us that he agrees entirely with the intention of what is being put forward and then goes through what must be a great deal of mental or moral anguish in telling us why nothing can be done about it. I have used this argument before, but I am serious about it. I sometimes find it sad that, when there is agreement about an intention, all the resources and expertise that are at the disposal of the Government—which are considerable—are not used to the effect that, if the wording or the specific proposal is not right, we find a way to fulfil the intention that we say we totally agree with. I am disappointed that we do not get that. I am disappointed, but I have no alternative: I beg leave to withdraw the amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. [Amendments Nos. 59A and 59B had been withdrawn from the Marshalled List.] Clause 33 agreed to. Clause 34 agreed to. Clause 35 [Detention]: On Question, Whether Clause 35 shall stand part of the Bill?